but on initial boot - before the splash screen and until the windows logo pops up - the screen is so fuzzy/distorted as to be unreadable. I'd reflash IF I COULD SEE THE DAMNED THING WELL ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT I WAS DOING !!!!!

If its onboard video, first try reset BIOS settings to default and see if the problem repeat or not, next try a memtest to confirm memory and timing are correct. If the video is on a card, change card to see.